Closure structure



"July 20, 1943. R. c. PRA'fi' CLOSURE STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 19, 1942 4 Sheets-Sham].

' J\ Ily 20, 1943. I c. PRATT 2,324,536

CLOSURE STRUCTURE Filgd Jan. 19, 1942 sheets- Sheet 2 l 75 'm in I Ill Ilill|| I if" a f F w KQ XWM July 20, '1943. R. c. PRATT CLOSURE STRUCTURE V Fil d Jan; 19.v 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 m m 1 I ,1 \M 0 \\t 5/47///II I. I a I ,rr

Patented July 20, T9431 CLOSURE STRUCTURE Raymond C. Pratt, Chicago, IlL, assignor to Transportation Equipment 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application January 19, '1942, Serial No. 427,243

fill-Claims. (Cl. 160-172) This invention relates to closures, and more particularly to that class of closures known as Venetian blinds or the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a closure or blind structure of improved construction and improved operating characteristics.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a Venetian blind or the like having improved means for guiding and shifting the blind to its various positions of adjustment, and for holding the blind parts, including the slats thereof, in proper position at all times. In accordance with the invention the blind or closure may be shifted to anypredetermined position merely by the application of suitable force to the bottom or operating bar at any point either with the slats in tilted or horizontal position.

' A further object of the invention is to provide aclosure and specifically a blind structure mounted within a self-contained frame so that it may be readily moved or shifted to an inoperative position to facilitate cleaning or other maintenance operation on structural elements with which the 'blind may be associated, or if desiredremoved as a unit from its support struc-' ture. a

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a Venetian blind structure, an improved composite slat construction of light weight but of, greater strength and of improved appearance.

. the structure of Fig. 1, on the line {-2 thereof,-

and illustrating the manner in'which the blind In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

7 Fig. 1, is a general assembly 'view of a closure,

invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical, sectional view through of a part of Fig. 6 is a composite or exploded view, in perspective, illustrating a detail of the blind frame sill member;

Fig. '7 is a general sectional view through the blind and showing the, blind frame separated from its support structure; I

. Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are vertical, sectional views on the lines 8-8, 9-! and l0- -l ll respectively of Fig. '7; 4

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view through the spring structure, on the line Il-l I of Fig. 7;

Fig. 12-is a detail, perspective view of one of the guide blocks operable along the guiding columns;

Figs. 13 and14 are perspective and sectional views, respectively, of one of theslats, Fig. 14 being taken on the line H-ll of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a detail, perspective view of the slat end guiding attachment or insert;

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved slat end structure and associated guide means operable to guide the slats in their movements, which end stru'cture facilitates the guidingoperation, is noiseless, and pertnits ready blind adjustment 'with the slats following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein certain preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth for purposes of illustration.

.tions which the slats will assume may be particularly adapted for, uses of this character. It is to be understood, however, that the invention in many other aspects is adapted for use with closures generally, including blind structures in other types of installations and for other purposes.

Referring more particularly to the drawings,

and first to Fig. l, a vehicle wall structure is generally indicated by the numeral Ill, which understood by reference to Figs. 2 and 3. More specifically, the two upstanding wall members I2 and i3 carry alined hinge pins i6, screw-threaded into the wall members, and pivotally engageable at their inner ends within openings formed in the blind frame. By this means the frame it may be swung from its operative full line position, as shown in Fig. 2, to an inoperative position as illustrated in dotted lines, and when in inoperative position the windows or the like H which may be associated with the wall it, are rendered readily accessible for cleaning or other maintenance operations. A toggle mechanism comprising a link i8 pivotally connected to the wall member i2, and a link is pivotally connected to the frame l5, see Figs. 2 and 4, are preferably provided for maintaining the frame in raised or inoperative position as may be ,desired. As will also be understood, by removal of the hinge pins l6, and disconnection of the toggle links, the blind frame I5 is removable as a unit from the support wall This construction facilitates assembly of the parts, and also facilitates replacement or substitution of the blind structure, as may be desired.

The details of the blind frame are best shown in. Figs. 4, 5 and 7, and are also illustrated in Figs, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 10. Referring to Fig. '7, it will be seen that the frame l5 comprises a pair of upstanding side frame members 22 and 23 connected at their upper ends by a cross frame member 24 and at their lower. ends by a sill frame25, a rigid rectangular frame for the blind thus being provided. The cross frame member 25 may be secured to the side frames by means of suitable screws such as indicated at 25 and 21,

Figs. 7 and 3, The frame members 22 and 23 also form a part of the guiding column structures arranged at each side of the blind and provided for guiding the blind parts in their slidable movements and for holding them in proper position. The guiding column structure for the left side of the blind is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, and it is to be understood that the guide columns are the same for both sides of the blind.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, it will be seen that the frame member 22 forms a facing and retention member for a pair of column pieces 30 and Si preferably of wood or the like, these column pieces being faced on their inwardly extending surfaces by sheet metal facing pieces 32 and 33. The column pieces are spaced apart whereby to provide a vertically extending slot or track 54.

The column pieces 30 and 3!, and their associated facing members 32 and 33, terminate somewhat short of the upper end of the blind, and a cross frame member 35, Fig. 7, secured at its opposite ends to the frame pieces 22 and 23, rests on the upper ends of the column pieces. The cross frame members 24' and 35, together with a pair of front and rear plates 36 and 31,

Fig. 8, secured thereto, form a box-like housing structure extending across the blind at its upper end for housing the blind roller mechanism later to be described. The frame piece 55 has openings arranged therein at suitable points to accommodate the several control tapes of the structure.

The front of each side column is provided with a facing member, the member for the left-hand column being indicated at 40, Figs. 1, 4 and 5, and the member for the right-hand column being indicated at Ii, Fig. 1, The facing members 50 and 4! not only form a finishing means for the front of the blind frame, but they also form part of the guiding means for guiding the blind slats in their movements, as will be best understood by reference to Fig. 4. In. cooperation with these members engageable with the front edges of the blind slats, each side colunm is also provided with vertically extending rear guide members for guiding the rear slat edges, the guide member for the left-hand column being indicated at 42 in Figs. 4 and 5.

The manner of attaching the sill member 25 to the side guide columns and to the side frame members 22 and 2515 best illustrated in Fig. 6. As indicated, the sill member which is preferably of wood or the like, is bifurcated at each end whereby to provide a pair of extensions 4i and 45, A bracket 45 rests on these extensions, and the wooden column pieces, such as 80 and II,

I Fig. 4, are in turn supported upon the bracket.

Bolts, as indicated at 41 and 48, Fig. 6, hold the parts in position. The bracket 46 is provided with a pair of slots 49 and 50, and with a depending flange or ears 5| for a purpose later to be described. It is to be understood that the constructions at each end of the sill are similar. The sill member is preferably faced with sheet metal as indicated at 52.

The movable closure elements of the blind comprise a vertically shiftable bottom or operating bar 55, and the usual series of superposed slats 58. The bottom bar is composed of several separate parts, including both oscillatableand non-oscillatable elements, and to that end has been given a general reference numeral in Fig. '1. More specifically, the oscillatable element of the bottom bar comprises a cross piece 51, Figs. 7 and 10, preferably of wood or the like.-

This member is generally semi-cylindrical in cross section and extends across the blind structure. The cross piece 51 is faced with sheet metal, as indicated at 58, the upper ends of the sheet metal facing being anchored within a trough running longitudinally along the upper face of the member. This trough forms the receiving means for clip brackets 59 which anchor the ends of the slat tilting tapes 60. In the particular embodiment illustrated there .are two pairs of these tilting tapes juxtaposed to each side of the blind structure. As will be understood, these tilting tapes carry cross webs 5|,

Fig. 10, for supporting the slats, so that as the I,

tapes are operated by means later to be described, the slats and the member 51 may be adjusted to predetermined angular positions.

The member 51 is pivotally mounted for its oscillating movement in a pair of guide brackets 83 and 64, Fig.7, which guide brackets are .mounted for sliding movement along the guiding columns at either side of the blind. To effect this pivotal mounting the member 51 is provided with angle brackets 85 and 66, Fig. 7, at each of-its ends, the angle brackets being anchored within thetrough of the cross piece 51 and pivotally connected to the guide brackets by means of pivot pins 81 and 88. A cover plate 88 overlies the upper surface of the member I! and to extend into the trough formed longitudinally of the cross piece 51, but is suitably recessed to accommodate the clips 89 and the brackets 88 and 98. The left-hand end of the member 81,

specifically illustratedin Fig. of the drawings, to which reference may be made for a further showing oi the nature 01' the construction.

In addition to the oscillatable member 51, the bottom bar structure also includes a series oi non-oscillatable cross pieces II, "I! and 13, Figs.

'7 and 10, secured together and arranged beneath the cross piece 81. As best shown in Fig. 10, the upper surfaces of these members are.

- is secured thereto. This cover plate is shaped and its connection with the guide bracket 88 is rollers ,89 and 90 constituting a part, of the roller structure of the blind. On the other hand the' tapes 85 and 81 extend downwardly from the guide brackets, over idler rolls 9| and 92, and thence upwardly to be anchored at their upper ends to rollers 83 and 94. The means for anchoring and guiding the tapes will be best understood by reference to Figs. 8 and 9 wherein the details of construction for the left side of the blind are illustrated, it being understood that the structures for both sides are similar. Refering to Fig. 8, it will be seen that the tape member 89 is anchored at its lower end to the pivot pin 81, extends upwardlythrough the track 34 of the guide column, passes over an.id1er guide roller or pin 95, and then is wrapped around the roller 89 and anchored thereto by means of a clip 98. Referring to Fig. '9, it will be seen that the tape 85 is connected to the guide bracket by means of a arcuately shaped so that they may beclosely along the extreme lower edge of the bottom bar structure. When the bottom bar is in its lowermost position, the bumper member II will be brought into engagement withthe facing 52 of the sill structure. The bumper absorbs impact, insuring noiseless operation, and also provides a light-tight contact connection between the sill clip 91, extends downwardly through the track 34, around the idler roll 9|, then upwardly through the track, over the guide pin or idler roller 98, and then around the roller 99, being and the bar constructions. To facilitate the verticalpositloning of the bottom bar a handle piece It, Figs. 1 and 10, is connected to the central portion thereof. Members 'II, I2 and I8 are connected at their ends to the guide brackets 83 and 64 by means of suitable screws 40 IT and 78, Fig. 7. The connection to the lefthand guide bracket 63 is specifically illustrated in Fig. 8.

The guide brackets 88"and '84 are of similar construction and one of them, the bracket 88, is

illustrated in perspective detail in Fig. 12. It will-be seen that the bracket is provided with an opening 89 for the reception of the pivot bolt 91, and screw-threaded openings III and 82 for the reception of the screws or bolts 11. As previously stated, the guide brackets are longitudinally slldable along the guide columns at either side of the blind. and to this end it will be noted. see particularly Fig. 5, that the guide brackets are so shaped as to conform to the vertically extendlug tracks, such as the track 34, extending longitudinally of the guide columns: The arrangement is such that the guide brackets move longitudinallyof the column but are prevented from withdrawal therefrom. To facilitate the sliding o0 movement, the guide brackets are provided with non-metallic inserts 83,01 fiber or the like. These inserts engage the track surfaces of the guiding columns insuring noiseless and smooth operation.

In accordance with the principles of. the invention the guide brackets 83 and 64 are so interconnected and controlled that tilting or jamming of the bottom bar 65 is prevented at all times and under all conditions of operation. To this end bracket 63 has connected to it two tape members 85 and 88, Fig. 7, for controlling its operation, and the bracket 64 is similarly provided with controlling tapes 81 and 88. The tapes 86 and 81 extend upwardly from the brackets, and

at their upper ends are anchored, respectively, to

anchored thereto by means of a clip 99. The clip 91 issecured to bracket 63 by means of a bolt I00 adapted to fit into a screw-threaded opening IUI, Fig.12, formed in the bracket. The

idler roll 9i is journalled within the metal bracket 49, Fig. 6, which has previously been described, the tape passing through the openings 89 and 50 of the bracket.

The rollers 93 and 94 are fixed to a shaft I05, Fig. '7, extending across the blind and journalled at its ends in the side frames 22 and 23, the rollers thus being rigidly connected for, corresponding movement at all times. A sleeve I08 is loosely journalled on shaft I95, and the roller 89 is secured to this sleeve at its left-hand end. The right-hand end of the sleeve I96 is in turn secured to a spring housing It", and the roller 90 is fastened to thissprlng housing, so that rollers 89 and 98 are thus similarly rigidly connected together for simultaneous and'corresponding movement. A coil spring I08, Figs. 7 and 11, is arranged within the spring housing It", being connected at its outer end to the spring housin'gand at its inner end to the shaft I05. The spring is so arranged that it tends to rotate the shaft and the rollers 93 and 94 counterclockwise as seen in Fig. 9, and the sleeve I06 andthe rollers 89 and 98 clockwise as seen in Fig. 8, whereby to I continuously apply a predetermined tension to the tapes 85, 86, 81 and 88. Tapes and 81 are wound counterclockwise on rollers 93 "and 94, whereas tapes 8B and 88 are wound clockwise on rollers 89 and 98.

By virtue of the construction provided, as the bottom bar is raised or lowered, the tapes 85, 86,

81 and 88, and their associated roller devices, i

together with the spring I08, will atall times prevent the bar from tilting or jamming; and this is true even though the operating force .to raise or lower the bar.is applied non-symmetrically as for example 'at one end thereof. Assume, for example, that the left-hand end of the bar is raised, this will result in a pulling action on the tape 85 and a release of the tape 86. As tape 85 is pulled, a similar increment of movement is imparted through the interconnected rollers to the tape 81 at the right-hand end of the blind, thus freeing the right-hand end of the bottom bar for upward movement. Simultaneously, as

, the tape 89 is released, the spring I08 acts upon tape 88 to impart a lifting action thereto, thus imparting an upward lift to the right-hand end of the bottom bar and maintaining the bar in horizontal position. Similar-actions occur as the operating bar 55 is moved either upwardly or downwardly, so that the bar is at all timesmaintained in horizontal and proper position even though non-symmetrical operating forces are manually applied to the bottom bar structure.

As the blind is raised or lowered, slight relative motion takes place between the two sets of rollers, as for example between the rollers 90 and 96, due to possible differences in roller size, thickness of tapes, et cetera. The spring I08 takes care of this relative movement, which is small in proportion to the capacity of the spring so that the spring tension is not materially changed.

A friction block III], Figs. '7 and 8, urged into engagement with roller 89 by means of a pair of compression springs III and H2, applies a predetermined frictional resistance to movement of the bottom bar. This frictional resistance, which is uniform in all adjusted positions of the structure, insures the maintenance of the bottom bar in proper adjusted position. In the event that it may be desirable to releasably latch the bottom bar in its uppermost position, a pair of friction latches H3 and H4, Fig. '7, may be additionally employed. These latches engage guide blocks 63 and 6t, and releasably maintain the bottom bar in its extreme uppermost position.

To effect the tilting of the slats and the cross piece 57 to various desired angular positions of adjustment, an additional sleeve H6, Fig. '7, is provided loosely journalled upon the sleeve I06. Fixed to the sleeve II6, adjacent its opposite ends, is a pair of brackets III and H8, Figs. '7 and 10, which support the upper ends of the tilting tapes 6!). It will be seen that as the sleeve H6 is rotated in one direction or the other, the tapes 60 will be operated by brackets H7 and H8 to effect the desired angular adjustment of the slats.

To effect the rotational movements of sleeve H6, the left end of the sleeve, as seen in Fig. '7, is provided with a worm gear H9, Figs. '7 and 10, operable by a worm I20 and an associated manually operable crank member I2I, Figs. 10 and 1. Bearing brackets I23 and I24, fixedto the rear plate 37, rotatably support the sleeve II6, thus providing additional bearing support for the sleeves I06 and H6 and for the shaft I05.

The detailed structure of the slats or closure members is shown in Figs. 13 and 14. As illustrated, these slats or closure members comprise main elongated body portions 56, the opposite longitudinal edges of which are provided with binding members as indicated at I26 and I27. In accordance with the principles of the invention the elongated bodies 56 of the closure members are preferably formed of metal or plastics, whereas the binding members are preferably of wood; and the'manner in which the bodies and binding members cooperate to produce a composite slat structure of improved strength and operating characteristics is illustrated in Fig. 20. Metals and plastics materials possess certain properties which are very desirable for use in the closure members of blind structures. For example, metals may be polished or plated whereby to provide highly reflective and ornamental slat surfaces. Plastics materials may be produced in various desired colors and' surface effects, and they may be made'translucent to enhance their ornamental and functional characteristics. However, slats of metal or plastics materials, when made of thin light-weight construction, have the disadvantage that they tend to sag or bend, although they are resistant to forces tending to produce breakage or rupture in localized areas. On the other hand, wood while subject to breakage or splitting within localized areas, is resistant to over-all bending or sagging, particularly when it is formed in cross section like the binding members I26 and I27. Accordingly it will be seen that in accordance with the principles of the invention, the composite slat structure is of improved strength and operating structural characteristics. More particularly, the binding members keep the slat from sagging or bending, whereas the bodies,

which as stated are resistant to rupture or sharp bending within localized areas, reinforce the wooden binding members along their lengths whereby to prevent their rupture or breakage. In Fig. 20 the composite slat structure is shown in solid lines, whereas-the body 66, as it would be subjected to bending in the absence of binding members, is illustrated in dotted lines.

To further improve the operating structural characteristics of the closure members, each slat at the opposite end thereof is provided with an end attachment member, one of which is illus-' trated in Figs. 13 and 15 and indicated by the reference numeral I36. In Fig. 15 the detailed structure of the attachment member is illustrated, and in Fig. 13 the member is shown as a part of the slatstructure. The attachment member, which is held in position at the end of the slat by means of the binding members I26 and I27, is preferably formedof fiber or the like, and

of light-weight or thin construction. A slot III extends transversely of the attachment member, and cooperates with a central cutout to form a pair of oppositely disposed tab portions I32 and I33. Due to the slot I3I, and the light-weight or thin construction of the attachment member, the tabs I32 and I33 are flexible so that'they may be relatively easily bent from their normal coplanar position. These tabs lie on opposite sides of ,the tapes 86 and 68, Figs. 4 and '7, and it will thus be seen that as the slats are tilted to extreme angular positions, approximately a vertical position, the tabs I32 and I33 will readily yield slightly whereby to avoid binding with the tapes. Accordingly, the slats may be vertically shifted without frictional drag, even when in substantially vertical position, insuring ready and easy operation of the blind structure in all angular positions of adjustment of the closure members.

The attachment members are further provided with slots as indicated at I34 and I35, Fig. 15, whereby toprovide tab portions I36 and I37 upon which bumper rings I38 and I33 of rubber or like material may be mounted. These bumper rings engage the guide surfaces such as indicated at 40 and 42, Fig. 4, of the guiding columns, insuring noiseless operation of the structure. The bumper rings are also slightly thicker than the binding members I26 and I27, as best shown in Fig. 19, whereby to preclude contact between the slats, even when brought into directly superposed position.

In Figs. 16 and 1'7 an embodiment is illustrated wherein the slats 56a are entirely of one material, such as wood, rather than of composite construction, and the attachment members I30a are seated within slots I40 formed arcuately within the ends of the slats. To this end the attachments are provided with arcuate projecting inner portions as indicated at I which flt into the slots I60, the attachment accuse members being held in position by screws or the like as indicated'at I42. e y

In Fig. 18 a still further embodiment is illustrated wherein the slat is of composite construction, being formed of a. body b and binding members I28!) and lflb, but wherein the attachment 'member or piece lllb is formed integrally with the slat body. a The operation of the blind structure is believed to be clear from what has heretofore been said, but may be briefly summarized as follows:

The blind, and more particularly the bottom for supporting the frame, said frame and closure member being bodily shiftable as a unit with respect to said support structure from an operative bar 55, will be held in any adjusted position i by the friction shoe 0, and additionally may be releasably latched in the uppermost positions by theJatch devices Ill anad ill. The bottom bar may be adjusted vertically by application of manual force thereto, and this force may' be applied at any point along the length of the bar without bar tilting or jamming, due to the action of the tapes 8!, 8t, 81, 88 and the associated roller and spring structures. In other words, the bottom bar structure is self-aiining at all times and under all conditions of operation. Immediately as the operating force tending to move the bottom bar is released, the movement of the bar will immediately and automatically stop, and thereafter be retained in the proper adjusted position. The bottom bar and the slats or closure members '6 will be retained and guided at all times by the guiding columns with which the ends of the slats are interengaged, and by the guide blocks 83 and 84 'to which the ends of the bottom bar are connected. This guiding arrangement, precludes either the bottom bar, or the slats from moving away from proper operating position, and also precludes rattling and insures noiselessoperation. The

bumpers I38 and I39 further insure noiseless operation of the slats, and the flexible tabs I32 and I33 of the attachment members permit ready vertical shifting of the slats even when in extreme tilted position. The slats and the cross piece 51 of the bottom bar structure may be adjusted to desired angular position by means of the crank Hi. The bumper piece associated with the bottom bar and the cooperating curvatures of the. bottom bar members 51 and "II, 12 and I3 insure a light-tight bottom bar construction, so that when the slats 5B are shifted into substantially vertical position, a light-tight blind structure is provided. When it is desired to move the blind structure to inoperative position, the blind with its associated frame .may be pivoted bodily into and retained in inoperative position as indicated in Fig. 2. By removal of the hinge pins l8 and the toggle control links,

. the entire blind frame structure i5 is removable as a unit from the wall support.

It is to be understood that the blind structure may be adapted for horizontal rather than vertical operation, or, if desired, the bar herein referred to as the bottom bar could be arranged at the top of the blind structure, and be movable upwardly to extend the slats or move them to spaced position. could besubstituted for mechanical force, in the operation of the structure.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific embodiments of the invention set forth for purposes of illustration, without'departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly the invention is not to be limited to an inoperative position. j 2. A closure structure comprising a closure member adapted to be drawn across an opening to be closed, said closure member being slidably shiftable in opposite directions of travel, a frame for supportihg the closure member and for guiding it in its movements, a support wall for sup-' porting and enclosing the frame, and means for pivotally mounting the frame upon the wall whereby the frame is pivotaliy movable with respect thereto as a unit with the closure member between operative and inoperative positions.

3. A Venetian blind structure comprising a series of superposed slats and an operating bar disposed beneath said slats and vertically reciprocable to control the lifting of said slats, means for guiding the operating bar in its movements, and control means associated with said guide means for maintaining the opposite ends of the i bar in relatively horizontal disposition, said control means comprising a control member connected to each end,of the bar for controlling the movement thereof, and means resiliently connectingsaid control members. I

-i.-A closure-structure comprising a series of alined closure members adapted to be moved across an opening to be closed, a bar for con trollingthe movements of said closure members. said bar being slidably shiftable in opposite directions of travel, guide means for guiding the movements of the bar, and control means associated with the guide means for preventing jamming or tilting of the bar, said controlmeans comprising a pair of elongated flexible members,

connected to each end of the bar and extending in opposite directions therefrom, and means interconnecting corresponding elongated flexible members at each end of the bar for simultaneous movement.

5. A closure structure comprising a series of 'alined closure members adapted to be moved across an opening to be closed, a bar for controlling the movements of; said closur members, said bar being slidably shii'table in opposite directions of travel, guide means for guiding the move ments of. the bar, and control means associated with the guide means for preventing jamming or tilting of the bar, said control means comprising a pair of elongated flexible members connected to each end of the bar'and extending in opposite directions therefrom, and means comprising con- If desired, power means nected rollers upon which the ends of the elongated iiexible members are wound, and a spring interconnecting the rollers, for interconnecting corresponding elongated flexible members at each end of the bar for simultaneous movement.

6. A closure structure comprising a series of alined closure members adapted to be moved across an opening to be closed, a bar for controlling the movements of said closure members, said bar being slidably shiftable in opposite directions of travel, guide means for guiding the movements of the bar, and control means associated with the guide means for preventing jamming or tilting of the bar, said control means comprising a pair of elongated flexible members connected to each end of the bar and extending in opposite directions therefrom, interconnected rollers upon which the ends of the elongated flexible members are wound, and a friction brake member associated with at least one of said rollers.

7. A blind structure comprising a series of superposed slats, an operating bar for controlling the movements of the slats, said bar being reciprocably shiftable in opposite directions of travel, and said bar including oscillatable and non-oscillatable portions, means interconnecting the oscillatable portion of the bar with the slats, and means for adjusting said last named means whereby said oscillatable bar portion and said slats may be adjusted to various angular positions. 1

8. A blind structure comprising a series of superposed slats, an operating bar for controlling the movements of the slats, said bar being slidably shiftable in opposite directions of travel, and said bar having an oscillatable portion and a non-oscillatable portion, a guide frame, guide tracks in the guide frame arranged along the path of travel of the operating bar, guide brackets adapted for movement along the guide tracks and interengaged therewith, and means for connecting the opposite ends of the operating bar to said guide brackets.

9. A slat for blinds and the like comprising an elongated relatively flat body member of one material, attachment members at the ends of the body of different material, and binding members disposed along the opposite edges of the slat, said binding members being provided as elements separate from the slat body and serving to hold the attachment members in position.

10. A slat for blinds and the like comprising an elongated, relatively fiat, metallic body member, and wood binding members disposed along the opposite edges of the body and secured thereon.

11. A slat for blinds and the like comprising an elongated, relatively fiat, body member of plastics material, and wood binding members disposed along the opposite edges of the body and secured thereon.

12. A blind structure comprising a series of superposed slats, saidslats being shiftable in opposite directions of travel and said slats also being pivotally mounted for movement on their longitudinal axes to various adjusted positons, alined openings in said slats, an elongated member extending through the openings for controlling the movements of the slats, said openings comprising a principal aperture through which said elongated member extends and a cut away opening juxtaposed to the principal aperture and extending transversely of the slat whereby to provide flexible tab portions adjacent the principal aperture to facilitate angular adjustment of the slats.

13. A blind structure comprising a series of superposed slats, said slats being shiftable in opposite directions of travel and said slats also being pivotally mounted for movement on their longitudinal axes to various adjusted positions, attachment members connected to the ends of the slats, alined openings in said attachment members, an elongated member extending through the openings for controlling the movements of the slats, said openings comprising a principal aperture through which said elongated member extends and a cut away opening juxtaposed to the principal aperture and extending transversely of the slat whereby to provide flexible tab portions adjacent the principal aperture to facilitate angular adjustment of the slats.

14. A closure structure as deflnedin claim 2, wherein latch means is provided for retaining the frame in inoperative position.

15. A Venetian blind structure as defined in claim 3, wherein said control members comprise elongatedflexible members extending longitudinally of the guide means.

16. A blind structure comprising a series or superposed slats, an operating bar for controlling the movements of the slats, said bar being slidably shiftable in opposite directions of travel, a guide frame, said guide frame having guide tracks arranged along the path of travel of the operating bar and the slats, guide brackets longitudinally slidable in said guide tracks, and' means interconnecting the guide brackets and the ends of said operating bar, said guide brackets being provided with projecting non-metallic inserts adapted for sliding engagement with the guide tracks.

1'7. A blind structure comprising a series of superposed slats, an operating bar for controlling the movements of the slats, said bar being reciprocably shiftable in opposite directions of travel, and said bar including oscillatable and non-oscillatable portions, the oscillatable portion being mounted for oscillating movement aboutan axis extending longitudinally of the bar and being provided with a curved surface substantially concentric with said axis,'and said nonoscillatable bar portion being mounted in juxtaposition to said curved surface, and means interconnecting the oscillatable portion of the bar with the slats for oscillatable movement therewith.

18. A blind structure as defined in claim 1'1, wherein the surface of the. non-oscillatable bar portion juxtaposed to the curved surface of the oscillatable bar portion is recessed to conform thereto and is in close proximity therewith whereby to preclude the penetration of light between the oscillatable and non-oscillatable bar portions.

19. A slat for blinds and the like comprising an elongated relatively flat body member, binding members disposed along the opposite edges of the body member, and bumper members of rubber-like material provided individually at each side of the body and at each end thereof in alinement with said binding members.

20. A slat for blinds and the like comprising anv elongated relatively flat body structure, the body structure being provided at each end thereof with cut away sections juxtaposed to each side edge of the body and extending longitudinally thereof whereby to provide tabs at each end of the body structure and at each side thereof extending longitudinally of the body, and a ring of rubber-like material mounted on each of said tabs to provide. bumper means for the ends of the slat.

' RAYMOND C. PRA'I'I. 

